Stafford Borough’s new mayor and deputy mayor chosen
A Stafford councillor has been nominated to become the borough’s next first citizen less than a year after he was elected back onto the authority – but the current deputy mayor will stay in office for a third consecutive year.
Labour member Tony Nixon won his Littleworth seat in the May 2019 borough council election – more than a decade after he previously served on the authority.
And a year on he will become Stafford Borough mayor for 2020/21 after being nominated for the honour at Tuesday’s full council meeting by colleague Aidan Godfrey.
Councillor Nixon, who worked at Doxey’s Universal Grinding Wheel for more than 30 years, before moving on to RAF Stafford and MOD Donnington, said: “I thank the council. Myself and wife Hazel will do our best to represent Stafford Borough.”
His deputy mayor for the forthcoming year will be current incumbent, Conservative member Peter Jones, who is making civic history by serving a third successive term.
Councillor Jones, who represents the Eccleshall ward, stepped in at the 11th hour in May 2019 after the previous deputy mayor elect, Lynne Bakker-Collier, lost her seat at the borough authority election just days before she was due to take office.
He was also deputy mayor in 2018/19 – three years after serving as mayor in 2015/16.
Councillor Mark Winnington, who nominated him for his latest term on Tuesday, said: “He has done a sterling job this year and I am sure he will do exactly the same next year.”
Councillor Jones responded: “I would like to thank my fellow councillors for bestowing this honour on me. I will do my best to support the mayor elect in his duties.”
On his website Councillor Jones said that a member of the authority can only be Stafford Borough mayor once – but they are able to be deputy mayor many times.
He added that he and wife Joy were “great believers in the mayoralty”.
“We have seen the looks on people’s faces when the mayor goes somewhere. People enjoy it and we thoroughly enjoy it.”
